Midwest Region
This region includes Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The Midwest region has traditionally been a focal point of American haiku activity with publications such as American Haiku, the world’s first English-language haiku journal (started in 1963), and Modern Haiku, which has been published here for most of its existence, among others. In addition, we are also home to Brooks Books, the country’s oldest publisher devoted to books of haiku, and its journal Mayfly. The region hosted the landmark Haiku Chicago event in 1995 (the first-ever joint conference of the Haiku Society of America and Japan’s Haiku International Association), the 1999 Haiku North America conference, the 2000 Global Haiku Festival, and, more recently, the “Cradle of American Haiku” festivals. In addition, Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, hosts the country’s only university haiku studies program.
The Midwest region has a wealth of talent, with HSA members in eight states, and strives to grow in its knowledge of haiku by holding informative readings and critiques, with presentations by excellent poets and speakers, to which the public is always invited. Additional activities include outdoor walks, such as visiting the Japanese garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Members often meet for dinner after events to socialize.
If you’re not already an HSA member, please come to one of our gatherings or free programs, and give us a try. We encourage haiku poets throughout the Midwest to start a new group (the Midwest regional coordinator is always happy to help), or to join an existing group:
—Charlotte Digregorio
Regional Links
Brooks Books
http://www.brooksbookshaiku.com/
Cradle of American Haiku
http://www.modernhaiku.org/cradle/
Haiku Habit
http://www.haikuhabit.com/
Haiku Michigan
http://www.haikumichigan.com/
Millikin University Haiku
http://old.millikin.edu/haiku/
Reeds: Contemporary Haiga
http://www.reedscontemporaryhaiga.com/
Raymond Roseliep
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Roseliep
Virtual Haiku
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120127353017
White Lotus
http://www.shadowpoetry.com/magazine/whitelotus.html
Join the HSA
http://www.hsa-haiku.org/join.htm
Regional News & Events
Cradle of American Haiku Festival Scheduled
MINERAL POINT, WI -- You can write haiku poetry in English. Join haiku writers from the U.S. and Canada for their Second Annual Cradle of American Haiku Festival, at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 10, to 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12, at Foundry Books, 105 Commerce St., Mineral Point. The festival is open to the public, and beginning and experienced haiku writers are welcome.
Haiku is a short, Japanese poetic form of usually three lines and about 17 syllables. It is thoughtful, imagist poetry, (often inspired by nature), and it captures the moment.
The festival will include several workshops and presentations on the form and art of haiku/related Japanese poetic forms, readings of haiku, and Japanese art. This year’s theme is “Remembering Robert Spiess—His Life and Work.” Spiess was a longtime haikuist and author, and former editor of “Modern Haiku,” an international journal of haiku and haiku studies.
The festival will also feature an opening reception; a “Kukai,” a peer-reviewed haiku contest on the theme “Transitions;” Tai Chi, meditative exercises; a presentation on “Kodo,” Japanese incense; mini-critique sessions with award-winning poets and publishers; a social with cocktails and Midwest style picnic/tailgate; and a “ginko” walk to observe nature and write haiku. Haikuists may also participate in a sale of books they’ve authored.
At the festival, The Haiku Society of America will hold its annual national quarterly meeting to which the public is invited. However, the HSA is not sponsoring the festival.
Southwest Wisconsin is the birthplace of American haiku. Mineral Point is a scenic town of 19th century architecture, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, located in the region’s hills. It is about a 45- minute drive from Madison and Dubuque, IA.
The cost of the festival is $30 which includes workshops, all activities, reception, and picnic. For more information, with a schedule of events and lodging options, contact Charlotte Digregorio, Midwest Regional Coordinator, The Haiku Society of America, at email <cvpress@yahoo.com> or by phone at 847-881-2664.
• • •
May 15, 2010 Meeting of The Midwest Region
Midwest haikuists held a productive meeting of reading and critique of their haiku, Saturday, May 15 at The Winnetka Public Library in Winnetka, IL.
HSA member Mac Green was commended for driving the longest distance to Chicago’s North Shore from Indianapolis. At the meeting, he was joined by Midwest Regional Coordinator Charlotte Digregorio, Tomoko Hata, Gail Goepfert, Susan Moss, Joanne Crofton, Carolyn Jevelian, Annie Reese, Marlene Mitchel, and Elyne Handler.
Since there were some newcomers to haiku, Charlotte welcomed them and introduced them to The Haiku Society of America—its purpose and activities. She oriented them to the HSA’s web site, the goals in holding the region’s regular meetings, and HSA publications with news of haiku from around the world, including other journals, publishing opportunities, and contests. She reminded members to note the deadline of June 30 for submitting haiku to the HSA annual anthology. And, she discussed the National Quarterly meeting in Mineral Point, WI to be held from Friday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 12 in this historic, scenic, and artsy town.
Charlotte distributed a sheet of interesting haiku written by HSA members to give everyone a good idea of how to successfully write and publish haiku. Among haiku discussed, written by Midwest members, was one by Randy Brooks:
new grave . . .
a graduation tassle
hangs from the stone
There was a discussion of haiku masters, Basho, Issa, and Buson. As for modern haiku, the group read one of Jack Kerouac’s haiku:
The summer chair
rocking by itself
In the blizzard
Charlotte spoke of the style and content of haiku as a minimalist, imagist, and insightful form, stated in simple language that avoids abstractions. She also discussed haiku resources that one could find through their library system. These included Harold G. Henderson’s The Bamboo Broom: An Introduction to Japanese Haiku, and William J. Higginson and Penny Harter’s, The Haiku Handbook: How to Write, Share, and Teach Haiku.
Afterwards, participants shared their haiku. Samples as follows:
spring . . .
cherry blossoms
on pages
Tomoko Hata
on my cheek
wisps of hair
trace absent fingers
Gail Goepfert
After the meeting, some in the group went to dinner at The Celtic Knot Public House in nearby Evanston. They were joined by Heather Jagman, a speaker at the February conference, and her husband, Arek, who weren’t able to attend the afternoon meeting.
Charlotte Digregorio
• • •
February 20, 2010 Haiku Program
The 2010 Winter Program of the Midwest Region of The Haiku Society of America was a most productive and enjoyable one with learning and laughter, on Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Winnetka, (IL) Public Library. Thirty-two people attended, both members, poets and writers from other literary organizations, students from area universities, and the general public. There were five speakers, with six presentations made, on various aspects of haiku content and style, along with Japanese art. Beginners and experienced haikuists benefitted.
There was a good turnout, due to substantial publicity efforts, targeting key media, libraries, literary organizations, and schools. In addition, flyers were posted at popular area locations, such as at cultural centers, bookstores, and coffee houses. Local media also attended our meeting and took pictures.
Among members in attendance were: Midwest Regional Coordinator Charlotte Digregorio, Michael Nickels-Wisdom, Lee Gurga, Mac Greene, Chris Patchel, Joe Kirschner, Lidia Rozmus, John Han, Heather Jagman, and Sung Kyu Kim.
First, Charlotte Digregorio welcomed members and guests. She provided general information about the HSA, and in particular, about the activities of its Midwest Region. She mentioned the HSA National Quarterly Meeting to be held, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 10-12, in Mineral Point, WI. Details will be made available in the near future by Francine Banwarth, HSA Second Vice President and Iowa member. Charlotte made brief opening remarks about haiku: “Poetry or Just a Thought?”
Featured speakers were:
Keynoter John Han,"What is Haiku?" and "What Inspires Us to Write Haiku?"
Heather Jagman on"Season and Other Aesthetics/Poetics in Haiku"
Joe Kirschner, "The Silence Between Haiku Images"
Lidia Rozmus, "What is Sumi-e Art and Haiga?"
Sung Kyu Kim, "Haiku in Korea Today"
There were many published and/or award-winning examples of haiku and senryu offered
during the speakers’ talks and throughout the afternoon. They included HSA members’ work from throughout the U.S., and in particular, from those poets of the Midwest:
koi pond—
red leaf at the bottom
of the atmosphere
Michael Nickels-Wisdom, HSA Member—Illinois
a path of leaves
our conversation
turns wordless
Chris Patchel, HSA Member—Illinois
bartender’s long sad story
my beer
does the listening
Marsh Muirhead, HSA Member—Minnesota
chance meeting—
the measure of my aging
in my old friend’s face
Jeffrey Winke, HSA Member, Wisconsin
snowmelt . . .
she enters the earth
on her knees
Bill Pauly, HSA member—Iowa
first day of school
her brother’s backpack
with legs
Robert Mainone, HSA Member—Michigan
There were many useful haiku resources discussed, including, of course, Frogpond, the HSA Journal, the HSA newsletter, and HSA anthologies, contests, and web sites. Lee Gurga’s book, Haiku: A Poet’s Guide, was also mentioned. And, haiku books were given as door prizes, courtesy of Lee Gurga.
After the program, 17 of us went to dinner at the Celtic Knot Public House in Evanston, followed by coffee at a nearby coffee shop. The entire day lasted from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. |
Regional Coordinator
Charlotte Digregorio
518 Winnetka Avenue, Suite 204
Winnetka, IL 60093
<cvpress@yahoo.com>
Charlotte Digregorio is an award-winning poet and author of four nonfiction books: You Can Be a Columnist, Your Original Personal Ad, Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Homes, and Beginners’ Guide to Writing and Selling Quality Features. She’s a media guest throughout the United States, and her books are sold in 31 countries. She holds graduate degrees in Italian/French literatures, and has been on university faculties teaching languages/writing. She’s a writer-in-residence at universities, a speaker at writer’s conferences, and gives poetry readings at libraries and bookstores. Digregorio hosted her own radio poetry program on public broadcasting, and has been interviewed on “Poetry Today,” a cable television program in suburban Chicago. Digregorio’s haiku are displayed in wine shops, art galleries, supermarkets, apparel shops, and on public transit in Metro Chicago.
wooded hills . . .
the evening downpour
fogs distant city lights
after confession . . .
my neighbor burns leaves
in autumn’s chill
after his funeral . . .
the dogwood he planted
blossoms again
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